Best Bread Recipes: Finding the Perfect Bread Recipes for You
There is just something about the smell of fresh bread and the taste that it offers when it is finally ready to be enjoyed. And, contrary to popular belief, it isn’t as hard to make your own bread as you might think. With a little bit of instruction and this list of the best bread recipes, you could be enjoying one of these bread recipes in no time.
This list of the best bread recipes will highlight the top bread recipes for you to try out and enjoy baking and eating. Whether you are looking for your favorite type of bread, a bread to pair with your favorite soup or meal, or maybe some kind of dessert-type bread, this list has it all.
We have scoured the internet for the best recipes for every type of bread, so you will be able to have the best of the best.
Before you know it, baking bread is going to be a weekly activity that is looked forward to by the whole family. Just plan to make a few loaves because it is sure to go fast!
Looking for even more baking-related lists? Visit our lists of the best cookie recipes, best cake recipes, and best dessert recipes. Also, if you need any baking utensils, our list of the best kitchen tools will have you covered.
Top 25 Bread Recipes:
1. Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Whole Wheat Flour, Honey, Active Dry Yeast
About Bread Recipe: When you’re looking for a straightforward homemade bread recipe, you can’t go wrong with whole wheat. Not only is it simple to make, but it is also quite versatile. It is great warm with butter, cold for sandwiches, or toasted with a bit of jam.
Though some people find hand kneading quite relaxing, if you have a stand mixer, you can let the machine do it for you. Altogether this whole wheat bread recipe is beginner-friendly and requires no special tools or tricks.
2. Ciabatta Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 3 Hours
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Active Dry Yeast
About Bread Recipe: While ciabatta bread is quite easy to make, it requires several steps that are not common in homemade bread recipes. First, make a starter dough 8-12 hours before you’re ready to actually make and bake the bread. This can easily be done the night before or in the morning before heading to work.
Next, it’s important to note that this dough is almost more of a batter than a dough. It is moist and doesn’t hold its shape particularly well. This is normal and it is important not to add more flour to make it thicker. Lastly, work and proof the dough as the instructions state. Bake, and enjoy your impressive homemade ciabatta bread.
3. Artisan Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 4 Hours
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Instant Yeast, Salt
About Bread Recipe: This is the best homemade bread recipe for beginners that will also impress even advanced bread bakers. Unlike other bread recipes, this artisan bread only requires four ingredients: bread flour, instant yeast, salt, and water. Beyond that, you have infinite options for customizing the bread’s flavor.
Try adding rosemary and thyme, jalapeño and cheddar cheese, nuts and dried cranberries, or any other savory flavor combination that excites you. The sky is the limit with this artisan bread recipe.
4. Focaccia Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Active Dry Yeast, Honey, Olive Oil
About Bread Recipe: The next time you’re having friends or relatives over for dinner, try making homemade focaccia bread. Without a doubt, this is a very simple bread recipe that even a beginner can make. The hardest part is shaping the dough and poking the holes in it – which even an elementary schooler could do. Not only is it easy to make and delicious, but it is also easy to customize the flavor to your own preferences. Try substituting out the rosemary for parmesan, Italian seasoning, or garlic.
5. Sourdough Bread Recipe
Prep Time: Varies
Cook Time: 60 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Bread Flour, Sea Salt, Fine Ground Cornmeal, Olive Oil
About Bread Recipe: What sets sourdough bread apart from a standard bread? The basic difference is that it does not use yeast to rise. Instead, it uses a slow-fermenting sourdough starter that makes the bread easier to digest and gives it that classic tangy flavor.
As a result, there are more steps involved in making a sourdough bread than there are in a yeast-based bread. However, this sourdough bread recipe breaks down every step thoroughly to ensure that even a beginner baker could successfully make a loaf of sourdough.
6. Soda Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Buttermilk, Granulated Sugar, Raisins
About Bread Recipe: Soda bread is a quickbread recipe, meaning it does not require any yeast. It has a crusty exterior with a soft, dense, moist interior. Besides its perfect texture, it is also the perfect level of sweetness that makes it complementary to savory soups and stews, while still being delicious covered in butter in jam.
Unlike yeast-based bread, the secret to leavening soda bread is to use a combination of baking soda and buttermilk. Lastly, if you love cooked raisins, add a bunch. But, if you’re in the raisin-hating camp, you can leave them out without affecting how the bread cooks.
7. Flatbread Recipe
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Olive Oil, Plain Yogurt, Dried Basil, Active Dry Yeast
About Bread Recipe: Before baking yet another loaf of regular-old bread, try your hand at this delicious flatbread recipe. While flatbread obviously looks different from a loaf of bread, it may not be as obvious that it is baked very differently. Whereas traditional bread is baked in the oven, flatbread is cooked in a pan much like you would cook a pancake. This recipe calls for basil, oregano, garlic powder, and fresh parsley, making it a deliciously soft and flavor-filled side.
8. Rye Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Flour, Rye Flour, Cornmeal, Vegetable Oil, Brown Sugar, Yeast
About Bread Recipe: Rye bread has a balanced soft-dense texture and is exceptionally flavorful. In contrast to a white or wheat loaf of bread, rye utilizes both rye flour and caraway seeds to pack a flavor punch. Additionally, these two ingredients add a substantial amount of fiber to the loaf, also making it a healthier option that will keep you fuller for longer.
Keep in mind that this rye bread recipe requires a minimum of 65 minutes just for proofing the bread. Be sure to factor in that time if you want your bread to be finished baking when other elements of your meal are done cooking.
9. Cornbread Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Yellow Cornmeal, Baking Powder, Buttermilk, Baking Soda
About Bread Recipe: Mmm, nothing beats a slice of syrup or honey-covered cornbread with a bowl of hot chili or stew. This is a good cornbread recipe for anyone craving a delicious, rustic-style meal. As a rule, it is important to heat up your cast iron pan (or whatever ovenproof dish you are using) before adding the batter.
Doing this will ensure that your cornbread gets that golden, crisp crust around it. Additionally, it is important to use some form of soured milk, whether it’s yogurt, soured milk itself, or, as this recipe calls for, buttermilk.
10. Potato Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Mashed Potatoes, Instant Yeast, Sugar
About Bread Recipe: Potato bread is classified as white bread but typically has significantly more flavor. It makes great sandwich bread and the perfect slice of toast. In contrast to other yeast-based bread, potato bread has to rise in the fridge for at least 8 hours but can sit for up to 24 hours. Even so, it is a very easy bread to make. First, simply mix all of the ingredients together and machine knead for about 7 minutes. Next, let proof overnight. Then, split the dough in two, shape it, and let it proof one more time before baking them to perfection.
11. Tiger Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: White Bread Flour, Fast Action Yeast, Caster Sugar, Fine Sea Salt
About Bread Recipe: Tiger bread is known for its crackling crust and soft, light interior. This is achieved by making a standard bread dough, and then adding a topping right before it’s baked. For the topping, you will mix together rice flour, fast action yeast, salt, golden caster sugar, toasted sesame oil, and warm water. After about 35 minutes of baking, and once the bread sounds hollow when tapped, your tiger bread is finished and ready to impress.
12. Naan Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 75 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Plain Yogurt, Active Dry Yeast
About Bread Recipe: Naan is a type of flatbread (which is listed above), but because of its unique taste, we thought it was deserving of its own spot on the list. In contrast to the traditional flatbread recipe, this naan is flavored specifically with butter and garlic. Also, it is cooked in a cast-iron skillet on the stove. So whether you are looking to enjoy some Naan bread on its own, or with your favorite Indian dish, this bread recipe is sure to impress.
13. Banana Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 55 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Very Ripe Bananas, Vanilla Extract, Sugar, Baking Soda
About Bread Recipe: Banana bread is a year-round staple and profoundly easy to make. Unlike many types of bread, it requires no yeast, no rising time, and you can mix everything in one bowl. Additionally, this bread is easily hand-mixed without the need to dirty an electric mixer.
When choosing bananas, it is best to use those that are somewhat overripe. If you’re in the mood for something extra, try adding chopped walnuts or chocolate chips to your doughy batter before baking. And to top it all off, enjoy it with butter and your favorite brand of coffee.
14. Zucchini Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Grated Zucchini, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Unsweetened Applesauce
About Bread Recipe: When you’re craving a bread that is ultra moist and perfectly sweet, turn to this great zucchini bread recipe. If you have not had zucchini bread before, be assured that it is as much of a delectable treat as carrot cake is.
Keep in mind that it contains two ingredients that may not be a household staple: zucchini (obviously) and unsweetened applesauce. Simply mix the wet ingredients together, then add and mix in the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake until an inserted toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
15. Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Honey, Milk, Raisins, Instant Yeast
About Bread Recipe: Ahh, the sweet spice of cinnamon swirled into a raisin-laden loaf makes for some of the finest breakfast toast and sandwich bread out there. First, combine the milk, butter, and honey. Then, after microwaving them to the appropriate temperature, add in the yeast and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
Add this mixture into a stand mixer and add in the remaining dry ingredients. Knead and rest the dough. Next, make the cinnamon filling. Once the dough is done rising, roll it into a rectangle, spread the cinnamon mixture over it, roll it into a log, and bake in the prepared baking pan.
16. White Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Milk, Granulated Sugar, Rapid Rise Yeast
About Bread Recipe: The simplicity of white bread is nothing short of a breakfast and lunch staple. Not only is it terribly easy to make, but it is also terribly delicious. Conveniently, this recipe will produce two full loaves of bread, which means you can freeze one for use later.
To freeze bread, be sure to slice it first to ensure you only have to thaw the slices you are going to use, instead of the whole loaf. Additionally, if you find you have trouble with the slices freezing together, try placing parchment paper between each slice next time you’re going to freeze a loaf.
17. Pizza Dough Recipe
Prep Time: 45 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Instant Yeast, Garlic Powder, Olive Oil
About Bread Recipe: This homemade pizza dough is terribly simple to make while also being absolutely delicious. Using all-purpose flour will yield a soft, tender crust while substituting in bread flour is going to yield a slightly crispier crust. Additionally, you can add signature flavors to your crust to spice things up.
Try sprinkling about ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, dried basil, Italian seasoning, or your other favorite spices. Additionally, you can save your pizza dough in the fridge for several days, or in the freezer for up to a month. This means that you can make all of your Friday night pizza doughs for the month in just one evening!
18. Pita Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Active Dry Yeast, Kosher Salt, Virgin Olive Oil
About Bread Recipe: Homemade pita bread is on a whole different level than store-bought. The flavor, texture, and freshness of homemade pita bread is a gamechanger. This specific recipe only utilizes six ingredients and does not require a stand mixer. First, combine the water, yeast, and part of the flour. Then rest these in a warm place until the mixture is frothy.
Next add the salt, olive oil, and remaining flour. Once those are mixed together, dust with additional flour and then knead, rest, and knead again. Let the dough rise for about an hour, and then finish it off with the shaping, resting, and finally the baking. The best pita bread takes a little time to make, but this recipe breaks it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
19. Pretzel Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Yeast, Whole Milk, Brown Sugar, Sea Salt
About Bread Recipe: There is something about pretzel bread that seems massively indulgent. Whether you want to make pretzel bread or pretzel rolls for buttering or for burgers, this recipe offers the instructions for both. One of the key steps in achieving the pretzel-y nature of this bread is to boil the dough for 60-90 seconds just before baking. With 4.9 stars and over 58 reviews, this is arguably the best pretzel bread recipe floating around the internet.
20. English Muffin Recipe
Prep Time: Varies
Cook Time: 12 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Instant Yeast, Milk, Sugar
About Bread Recipe: English muffins are a perfect breakfast bread whether they are slathered in butter or built into a complicated breakfast sandwich. While they may be a bit more complex to make than some other types of bread, they are still a fun baking project that may just become a household staple.
One thing that sets English muffins apart is that they are cooked on the stove. This is what gives them the appearance of a puck. Additionally, this recipe offers a quick adaptation to turn your English muffin dough into crumpets.
21. Pumpernickel Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 2 Hours 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Bread Flour, Dark Rye Flour, Cornmeal, Whole Wheat Flour, Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Milk
About Bread Recipe: If you’re in the mood for a loaf of homemade pumpernickel bread, take a quick peek in your pantry and cupboards to be sure you have all of the necessary ingredients. Some of the ingredients that may not be household bread-making staples include dark rye flour, cornmeal, unsweetened cocoa powder, dark brown sugar, and molasses.
Aside from the unique ingredients, pumpernickel bread is actually quite simple to make. First, add and mix the ingredients in the order specified. Then let rise for about 45 minutes. Lastly, shape and bake your dough for a delicious loaf of pumpernickel bread.
22. Breadstick Recipe
Prep Time: 3 Hours
Cook Time: 12 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: Bread Flour, Instant Yeast, Granulated Sugar, Kosher Salt
About Bread Recipe: Few things in the food world are more satisfying to eat than a fresh, warm, perfectly baked breadstick. It is a signature bread for many restaurants, including Olive Garden, but have you ever tried to make them yourself? They are surprisingly easy to make and taste mouth-wateringly delicious.
Additionally, this is one of the best breadstick recipes since it includes photos of each step in the process. Lastly, with only seven simple ingredients and just a few steps to attaining golden breadstick perfection, your creation will be the highlight of every family gathering.
23. Multigrain Recipe
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Eight-Grain Hot Cereal Mix, Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
About Bread Recipe: For anyone looking to ditch empty carbs without sacrificing bread in the process, take a look at this multigrain bread recipe. First, be sure you have the necessary ingredients which may not be pantry staples. This includes an eight-grain hot cereal mix, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds (or any other seeds you may want to substitute, like flax or pumpkin seeds).
Additionally, it may be helpful to have a cooking thermometer for this recipe, as certain steps require your dough to be heated or cooled to a certain temperature range. Lastly, before baking this bread, be sure you are ready to consume something that is both healthy and delicious!
24. Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 65 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, 100% Pure Pumpkin
About Bread Recipe: While pumpkin may be a traditional fall flavor, this bread can and should be consumed year-round. It requires eleven ingredients, most of which you likely already have, and is both quick and easy to make. First, mix your dry ingredients together.
Next, mix your butter and sugar together in a separate bowl, stirring in one egg at a time after the butter and sugar have been thoroughly mixed. Then beat in the pumpkin and finally add in the dry ingredients. Finally, pour the batter into your prepared baking sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 65-75 minutes.
25. Brioche Bread Recipe
Prep Time: Varies
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Primary Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Honey, Warm Milk, Vanilla, Sea Salt
About Bread Recipe: Brioche bread is a traditional french bread recipe that is enriched with eggs and butter. It is interesting to note that fats (like the eggs and butter) actually fight against gluten formation. Therefore this bread needs substantially more kneading than a traditional bread recipe.
It also requires at least two days to make, since the dough will need to prove in the fridge for 8-24 hours. In spite of it being a slightly more tedious bread to make, this is one of the best brioche bread recipes out there since it was adapted and perfected from a Le Cordon Bleu recipe and will be sure to impress.
Best Bread Recipes Conclusion
I am sure after seeing all of these amazing-looking bread recipes that you are ready to start knocking them off one by one, and that is perfectly okay! Whether you want to start at the top and work your way down, or whether you want to start with your favorite type of bread first, you really can’t go wrong.
The other great thing about bread, and especially these bread recipes, is all of the delicious toppings that you can put on them. Whether it is a delicious jam or jelly, or maybe using two slices of bread for the perfect sandwich, either way, make sure to take full advantage of these bread recipes.
After making one of these delicious bread recipes, we would love to hear how it went for you. So please feel free to share your experience in the comments below.
